Can the EU become a superpower like the U.S.?

There is an article in this months The Economist that explores this issue. Although it makes it clear that the EU still has a long way to go until it catches up with the U.S. in technology and military power, and also let's not forget that the EU population is declining. But, let's not overlook the fact that it has a larger economy than any other place in the world, iccluding the U.S. and it has had some notable diplomatic victories recently.  

Economically, kind of, sure they have a huge total GDP, but it's not consolidated and can't really be directed by any major centralized authority toward one ovarching purpose.  I could also see them declining economically if they try to overstep their monetary and economic powers and thus start meeting resistance.

Politically, no, they're too decentralized.  And if anyone tried to centralize it the organization would probably fracture or that person would be fired.

Militarily, not even close.  The United States has such a huge lead in technology, research, and a greater military-industrial complex (in the non-conspiracy theory meaning of the term) that Europe can't even come close.  Europeans also don't seem to keen on military spending with no regional threats and no European-wide vital interests overseas.  All in all though, except for France and the UK, Europe seems to have no real short-term reason to have any armed forces, with the exceptions of peacekeeping missions, which is basically just heavily-armed police work.  I could predict their military power going down as budget cutters in European parliaments start cutting funding for militaries without a lot to do.

They'll all be important, just like they always have been.  And all three are necessary if you want to be a true superpower. 

If the EU can ever somehow join into one country, but I doubt it.

Eu is an organization for washed up has beens, America will linger on for a little while, then power will shift to the east especially Japan CHina India etc  But Brazil may also rise to power using a hot woman economy as a base.

I think the EU could still be a superpower but they disperately need to get their economy and federal budgets in order, the U.S. also. Nonetheless, the EU will always be a important destination for trade, especially if the Eastern countries catch up to the west and if Russia somehow is accepted in.

After WW2 most people thought that the imperial powers would remain powerful, but that did not really happen, perhaps because of decolonization but now I think that the time has never been greater for Europe to regain some past glory. In 25 years or so there will probably be about a handfull of superpowers instead of just the one.

Edited by Winterhaze13

Originally posted by Styrbiorn Originally posted by Genghis Militarily, not even close.  The United States has such a huge lead in technology, research, and a greater military-industrial complex (in the non-conspiracy theory meaning of the term) that Europe can't even come close.  Now this is simply not true. Europe fields and creates top notch equipment in just about any field, though it is correct that the actual size of the forces and the political will is lacking. This is nothing that cannot change though, and the Battle Groups are at least a start.

But there's no where near as much funding or demand for military technology in Europe.  And look at the equipment being fielded.  The US is a generation or more ahead of every other country on the Earth.  In Europe the new big fighter is the Eurofighter 2000 which is a generation behind the F-22.  There's not really anything in Europe to compare to the B-2 or some of the more advanced US precision guided weapons and such.  American submarines and aircraft carriers are also far more advanced than their European counterparts.  America has the new Land Warrior system and much more funding for land warfare research and equipment than Europe has the demand for.

That's what I meant, not to say that the Europeans are technically backward.  It's just that military technology isn't a great European priority.

England won't, in the foreseeable future, seize it's strong ties (ie. master&servant relationship) with USA. The EU newcomers (the ex-ostblock countries) have a long way to come until they free themselves from those they believe their liberators (USA, again) from the "commies". The rest of the "rich" EU countries is not willing to give up essential liberties, welfare funds, public healthcare and public schooling, create 50 million homeless and poor people, in order to follow USA in a crazy gun race, that solely serves the purpose of the industrial-military complex of USA, either directly (more orders, more money) or indirectly (projection of power worldwide means they can serve their interests anywhere on the globe - see Iraq for more details).

Also, Europe is currently not an imperialist power. It has certain interests outside Europe, but those are served without direct military threats (unlike USA). I would say, boldly, that the imperialist days are over for Europe, but that might not be true for the somewhat distant future.

In a few words: No, Europe is not willing to become a world class military power (in the league of USA, France is one of the top 5 military powers anyway). That's why we still keep ourselves attached to USA

Edited by Romano Nero

Originally posted by Genghis Originally posted by Romano Nero The EU newcomers (the ex-ostblock countries) have a long way to come until they free themselves from those they believe their liberators (USA, again) from the "commies". You say that as if it were a sign on their ignorance, when in fact they would no better than any other group of people on the Earth.

It is a sign of (their) ignorance, because their liberation was never a goal for USA, only a sideeffect of the succesful campaign to dismantle USSR and eliminate any opposition USA had in the global domination business.

Those poor bastards still think - some of them - that USA wishes good for them. But their leaders are smarter than that: they are begging to be accepted into the EU and find their place in the great european family. And we are accepting them in our great family.

It is a sign of (their) ignorance, because their liberation was never a goal for USA, only a sideeffect of the succesful campaign to dismantle USSR and eliminate any opposition USA had in the global domination business

Ever heard of this saying?

Enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Those poor bastards still think - some of them - that USA wishes good for them. But their leaders are smarter than that: they are begging to be accepted into the EU and find their place in the great european family. And we are accepting them in our great family.

All hail the great socialist Europeans!

Shoulda just let Germany win WW2, the net effect is the same...

the only difference is instead of being National Socialists, you are all going to be Environmental Socialists with a growing segregation of muslims and all others until you eventually implode uponj yourselves.